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i'
 ./

V .

BROTHER LAWRENCE
UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME IN
The New Kingship Series

The Kingship of Self-Control William George Jordan

The Majesty of Calmness • William George Jordan
Breaking the Record * • , Ralph Connor
Svan Creek Blizzard • • Ralph Connor
Bunny's Friends • • • . Amy Le Feuvre
Temptation . • • Tam«s Stalker, D.D.
Expectation Comer • • . E. S. KUiott
Beyond the Marshes • ; , Ralph Connor
Across the Continent of the Years Newell Dwight Hillis
How the Children Raised the Wind Sdna Lyall
Newell Dwight Hillis
Alone in London
Bonnie Jean
Nobody Loves Me
•

.
....
How the Itmer Light Failed
... •

•
,
..... , .
, , Hesba Stretton
Annie S. Swan
Mrs. O. P. Walton
Little
Laddie
J. Cole
King Davie

Christie's
*

Whiter Than Snow

•
.

Old Organ
.

.
.
....
By the author of "Miss Toosey's Mission"

.... . . .
Smma
Gellibrand
Mrs. O. F. Walton
Mrs. O. F. Walton
Nellie Hellis

Miss Toosey's Missisn

The Four Men ...
.... The author of "Laddie"
James Stalker, D.D.
Jessica's First Prayef
iessica's Mother .
ittleDot
Did the Pardon Come Too Late ?
.... .
Hesba Stretton
Hesba Stretton
Mrs. O. F. Walton
Mrs. Ballington Booth
Comfort Pease and Her Gold Ring M. Wilkins%
My Little Boy Blue Rosa Nouchette Carey
The Dew of Thy Youth J. R. Miller, D.D.
A Day's Time Table . . R. S. Elliott
Brother Lawrence . The Practice of the Presence of God
The Fight of Faith and The Cost of Character.Theodor e Cuy ler, D. D.
Where Kitty Found Her Soul Mrs. J. H. Walworth
One of the Sweet Old Chapters . Rose Porter
Hope, The Lost Thing in the World A. T. Pierson, D.D.
The Baritone's Parish . , J. M. Ludlow, D.D.
The Fit^i Thing in the World • A. J. Gordon, D.D.
The Greatest Need of the World . Henry Drummond
The Greatest Thing in the World . Henry Drummond
Eric's Good News Author of "Probable Sons"
Ye Nexte Thynge Eleanor Amerman Sutphen
Agatha's Unknown Way. A Missionary Story By
-^ "Pansy"
^
., ..

The Dream of Youth .. Hugh Black, M.A.

.

The Spirit Guest

Lend a Hand .....
For Christ and the Church

....
The

The YoungMan of Yesterday .

One of the Two
.Story
.
of
.

.
a Dream.
.

What th» Wind Did ? .
Fr«n Girldhood to Womanhood
Waxwing
How to Learn How
The Shepard Psalm .
Kept for the Master's Use
•
.
Josephine Rand
Charles M. Sheldon
Charles M. Sheldon
Judge A. W. Tenny
Charles M. Sheldon
. . . Amy Le Feuvre
Mary Lowe Dickinson
.

.
....
Caroline A. Mason, author of "Little Gi een God"

.
.
Henry Drummond
Frances Ridley Havergal
.

F. B. Meyer

Keepine Tryst, Author of "Quiet Talks on Power," S. D. Gordon

Jesus Habits of Prayer . . . . S. D. Gordon
A Business Man's Religion . . . Amos R. Wells
 -
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-

Brother Lawrence
The Practice of the Presence of God the
best rule of a Holy Life

Being Conversations and Letters of

Nicholas Herman
of Lorraine
(Brother Lawrence)

Translated from the trench

1$

New Yokk Chicago Toronto

Fleming H. Revcll Company

Publieheri of Evangelical Literature
HGi^f\f^^, /v/.

Copyright, 1895,
by C

Fleming H. Revell Company,

NOrE:
" 'Brother Lawrence '
' may also be had tn a
cheaper form for distribution under the title of
" the Vractice of the T^resence of God. l^aper.

24mo, 8 cents.

V
(

INTRODUCTION

" But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve
through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from
the simplicity that is in Christ."— 2 Cor. xi. 3.

The value of this little book is its extreme simplicity.

The trouble with most of the religion of the day is its

extreme complexity. "Brother Lawrence" was not

troubled with any theological difficulties or doctrinal
dilemmas. For him these did not exist. His one
single aim was to bring about a conscious personal
union between himself and God, and he took the short-
est cut he could find to accomplish it. The result can
best be described in his own words :
" If I dare use the
expression, I should choose to call this state the bosom
of God, for the inexpressible sweetness which I taste
and experience there."
What Brother Lawrence did all can do. No theo-
logical training nor any especial theological views are
needed for the blessed "practice" he recommends.
No gorgeous churches, nor stately cathedral, nor elab-
orate ritual, could either make or ma" it. A kitchen
and an altar were as one to him; anv' to pick up a
iy INTRODUCTION

straw from the ground was as grand a service as to

preach to multitudes. " The time of business," said
he, " does not with me differ from the time of prayer
and in the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while sev-
eral persons are at the same time calling for different
things, I possess God in as great tranquillity as if I were
upon my knees at the blessed sacrament."
This little book, therefore, seems to me one of the
most helpful I know. It fits into the lives of all human
beings, let them be rich or poor, learned or unlearned,
wise or simple. The woman at her wash-tub, or the
stone-breaker on the road, can carry on the "prac-
tice" here taught with as much ease and as much
assurance of success as the priest at his altar or the
missionary in his field of work.
All must feel that anything that brings the religion
of Christ within reach of overworked and poverty-
stricken humanity, in the midst of its ignorance and
its helplessness, is a priceless boon, and this is what
Brother Lawrence does. His " practice " requires nei-
ther time, nor talents, nor training. At any moment,
in the midst of any occupation, under any circum-
stances, the soul that wants to know God can " practise
the presence " and can come to the knowledge. The
Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge,
let the "seemings" be what they may; and we need

but to recognize this as a continual, ever-present fact,

and the inexpressible sweetness to which Brother Law-
rence attained will become ours. '

Hannah Whitall Smith.

London, 1897. ''/;
 PREFACE

This book consists of notes of several conversations

Aad with, and letters written by, Nicholas Herman, of

*v/orraine, a lowly and unlearned man, who, after hav-

ng been a footman and soldier, was admitted a Lay
brother among the barefooted Carmelites at Paris in

.666, and was afterward known as "Brother Law-

ence."

His conversion, which took place when he was

vbout eighteen years old, was the result, under God,
>f the mere sight in midwinter of a dry and leafless tree,

>jid of the reflections it stirred respecting the change

the coming spring would bring. From that time he
grew eminently in the knowledge and love of God, en-
^^
deavoring constantly to walk "as in His presence.
No wilderness wanderings seem to have intervened be-
tween the Red Sea and the Jordan of his experience.

A wholly consecrated man, he lived his Christian life

through as a pilgrim, as a steward and not as an

owner, and died at the age of eighty, leaving a name
which has been as " ointment poured forth."
6 PREFACE t

. . u '
The "Conversations" are supposed to have been

written by M. Beaufort, Grand Vicar to M. de Chalons,

formerly Cardinal de Noaiiles, by whose recommenda- j

tion the " Letters " were first published. |

The book has, within a short time, gone through re-

^
peated editions, and has been a means of blessing to

many souls. It contains very much of that wisdom

which only lips the Lord has touched can express, and .

which only hearts He has made teachable can receive.

May this edition also be blessed by God, and re-

|

dound to the praise of the glory of His grace.

^
. t

CONVERSATIONS

FIRST CONVERSATION

The first time I saw Brother Lawrence was upon the

3d of August, 1666. He told me that God had done
him a singular favor in his conversion at the age of
f eighteen.
That in the winter, seeing a tree stripped of its

leaves, and considering that within a little time the

leaves would be renewed, and after that the flowers
and fruit appear, he received a high view of the provi-
dence and power of God, which has never since been
effaced from his soul. That this view had perfectly
set him loose from the world, and kindled in him such
a love for God that he could not tell whether it had in-
creased diuing the more than forty years he had Hved
since.
That he had been footman to M. Fieubert, the trea-
siu-er, and that he was a great awkward fellow who

broke everything.
That he had desired to be received into a monastery,
thinking that he would there be made to smart for his
awkwardness and the faults he should commit, and so

i
 ;; .

8 CONVERSATIONS

he should sacrifice to God his life, with its pleasures

but that God had disappointed him, he having met with

nothing but satisfaction in that state.

That we should establish oiu-selves in a sense of

God's presence by continually conversing with Him.
That it was a shameful thing to quit His conversation /' ^

to think of trifles and fooleries.

That we should feed and nourish our souls with
high notions of God which would yield us great joy
;

(v
in being devoted to Him.
— —
That we ought to quicken i.e., to enliven our faith.
That it was lamentable we had so little and that in-
;

stead of taking /«//// for the rule of their conduct, men

amused themselves with trivial devotions, which changed
daily. That the way of faith was the spirit of the
church, and that it was sufficient to bring us to a high i
degree of perfection.
That we ought to give ourselves up to God, with re-
gard both to things temporal and spiritual, and seek
>
our satisfaction only in the fulfilling of His will, whether
He lead us by suffering or by consolation, for all would
be equal to a soul truly resigned. That there needed
fidehty in those drynesses or insensibilities and irksome-
nesses in prayer by which God tries our love to Him
that then was the time for us to make good and effec-
tual acts of resignation, whereof one alone would often- '

times very much promote our spiritual advancement.

That as for the miseries and sins he heard of daily
in the world, he was so far from wondering at them
that, on the contrary, he was surprised that there were

not more, considering the malice sinners were capable

of ; that, for his part, he prayed for them ; but knowing
( \
 CONVERSATIONS %

that God could remedy the mischiefs they did when

He pleased, he gave himself no further trouble.
That to arrive at such resignation as God requires,

we should watch attentively over all the passions which

mingle as well in spiritual things as in those of a grosser
/u
nature; that God would give light concerning those
passions to those who truly desire to serve Him. That
ifthis was my design, viz., sincerely to serve God, I
might come to him (Brother Lawrence) as often as I
*>
pleased, without any fear of being troublesome ; but if

not, that I ought no more to visit him.

SECOND CONVERSATION
That he had always been governed by love, without
selfish views and that having resolved to make the love
;

i of GoD the end of all his actions, he had found reasons

to be well satisfied with his method. That he was
pleased when he could take up a straw from the ground
for the love of God, seeking Him only, and nothing
else, not even His gifts.
That he had been long troubled in mind from a cer-
tain belief that he should be damned that all the men ;

in the world could not have persuaded him to the con-

trary but that he had thus reasoned with himself about
;

it I engaged in a religious life only for the love of God,

:

and I have endeavored to act only for Him; whatever be-

comes of vie whether I be

^ I will always con-
lost or saved,
tinue to actpurely for the love of God. I shall have this
good at least, that till death I shall have done all that is
in me to love Him. That this trouble of mind had lasted
four years, during which time he had suffered much
but that at last he had seen that this trouble arose
V'\
10 CONVERSATIONS

from want of faith, and he had passed

that since then
his life in perfect Hberty and continual joy. That he
had placed his sins betwixt him and God, as it were,
to tell Him that he did not deserve His favors, but
that God still continued to bestow them in abundance.
That in order to form a habit of conversing with God
continually, and referring all we do to Him, we must at
first apply to Him with some diligence but that after
;

a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us

to it without any difficulty.
That he expected, after the pleasant days God had
given him, he should have his turn of pain and suffer-
ing but that he was not uneasy about it, knowing very
;

well that as he could do nothing of himself, God would

not fail to give him the strength to bear it.
'6'
That when an occasion of practising some virtue
offered, he addressed himself to God, saying. Lord, I
cannot do this unless Thou enablest me; and that then he
received strength more than sufficient. 'dj

That when he had failed in his duty, he only con.

fessed his fault, saying to God, / shall never do other,
wise if You leave me to myself; it is You who must hin^
der my falling, and mend what is amiss. That after this
he gave himself nc further uneasiness about it.
That we ought to act with God in the greatest sim-
plicity, speaking to Him frankly and plainly, and im-

ploring His assistance in oiu* affairs, just as they hap-

pen. That God never failed to grant it, as he had
often experienced.
That he had been lately sent into Burgundy, to buy
the provision of wine for the society, which was a very
unwelcome task for him, because he had no tiun for
 CONVERSATIONS SI
I
business, and because he was lame and could not go
about the boat but by rolling himself over the casks.
That, however, he gave himself no uneasiness about it,

nor about the purchase of the wine. That he said to

God, // was His business he was about, and that he after-
ward found it very well performed. That he had been
sent into Auvergne, the year before, upon the same ac-
count ; that he could not tell how the matter passed,
but that it proved very well.

So, likewise, in his business in the kitchen (to which

he had naturally a great aversion), having accustomed
himself to do everything there for the love of God, and
with prayer, upon all occasions, for His grace to do his
work well, he had found everything easy, during fifteen
years that he had been employed there.
<&'•
That he was very well pleased with the post he was
now in but that he was as ready to quit that as the
;

former, since he was always pleasing himself in every

condition by doing little things for the love of God.
f
That with him the set times of prayer were not dif-
ferent from other times ; that he retired to pray, accord-
ing to the directions of his superior, but that he did not
want such retirement, nor ask for it, because his great-
est business did not divert him from God.
That as he knew his obligation to love God in all
things, and as he endeavored so to do, he had no need
of a director to advise him, but that he needed much a
confessor to absolve him. That he was very sensible
by them that he con-
of his faults, but not discouraged ;

fessed God, but did not plead against Him to

them to
excuse them. When he had so done, he peaceably re-
sumed his usual practice of love and adoration.
^1
tS CONVERSATIONS

That in his trouble of mind he had consulted no-

body, but knowing only by the light of faith that God
was present, he contented himself with directing all his

actions toHim, i.e., doing them with a desire to please

Him, let what would come of it.
That useless thoughts spoil all; that the mischief
began there but that we ought to reject them as soon
;

as we perceived their impertinence to the matter in

hand, or our salvation, and rettun to oiu: conmiunion
with God.
That at the beginning he had often passed his time
appointed for prayer in rejecting wandering thoughts
and back into them. That he could never regu-
falling
late his devotion by certain methods as some do. That,
nevertheless, at first he had meditated for some time, bue
afterward that went off, in a manner he could give no
account of.

That all bodily mortifications and other exercise*

are useless, except as they serve to arrive at the union
with God by love ; that he had well considered this, and
found it the shortest way to go straight to Him by a
continual exercise of love and doing all things for His
sake.
That we ought to make a great difference between
the acts of the understanding and those of the will;
that the first little value, and the
were comparatively of
others, That our only business was to love and
all.

delight ourselves in God.

That all possible kinds of mortification, if they were
void of the love of God, could not efface a single sin.
That we ought, without anxiety, to expect the pardon
of our sins from the blood of Jesus Christ, only cn-
 CONVERSATIONS |t

deavoring to love Him with all our hearts. That God

seemed to have granted the greatest favors to the great-
more signal monuments of His mercy.
est sinners, as

That the greatest pains or pleasures of this world

were not to be compared with what he had experienced
of both kinds in a spiritual state ; so that he was care-
ful for nothing and feared nothing, desiring only one
thing of God, viz., that he might not offend Him.
That he had no scruples for, said he, when I fail in
;

my duty, I readily acknowledge it, saying, lam used to

do so; I shall never do otherwise if I am left to myself.

If I fail not, then I give God thanks, acknowledging

that the strength comes from Him.

THIRD CONVERSATION
He told me that Xht foundation of the spiritual life in
him had been a high notion and esteem of God in faith
which when he had once well conceived, he had no
other care at first but faithfully to reject every other
thought, that he might perform all his actions for the love
of God. That when sometimes he had not thought of
God for a good while, he did not disquiet himself for
it but, after having acknowledged his wretchedness to
;

God, he returned to Him with so much the greater trust

in Him as he had found himself wretched through for-

getting Him.
That the trust we put in God honors Him much and
draws down great graces.
That it was impossible not only that God should
deceive, but also that He should long let a soul suffer
which is perfectly resigned to Him, and resolved to
endure everything for His sake.
u CO^iVERSATlONS

That he had so often experienced the ready succors

of divine grace upon all occasions, that from the
same experience, when he had business to do, he did
not think of it beforehand but when it was time to do
;

it, he found in God, as in a clear mirror, all that was

fit for him to do. That of late he had acted thus, with-
out anticipating care ; but before the experience above
mentioned, he had used it in his affairs.

outward business diverted him a little from

When
the thought of God, a fresh remembrance coming from
God invested his soul, and so inflamed and transported
him that it was difficult for him to contain himself.
That he was more united to God in his outward
employments than when he left them for devotion and
retirement.
That he expected hereafter some great pain of body
or mind that the worst that could happen to him was
;

to lose that sense of God which he had enjoyed so

long; but that the goodness of God assured him He
would not forsake him utterly, and that He would
give him strength to bear whatever evil He permitted
to happen to him and therefore that he feared noth-
;

ing, and had no occasion to consult with anybody

about his state. That when he had attempted to do
it, he had always come away more perplexed; and

that as he was conscious of his readiness to lay down

his life for the love of God, he had no apprehension
of danger. That perfect resignation to God was a sure
way to heaven, a way in which we had always suffi-
cient light for our conduct.
That in the beginning of the spiritual life we ought
to be faithful in doing our duty and denying ourselves
 CONyERSATlONS u
but after that, unspeakable pleasures followed. That in
difficulties we need only have recourse to Jesus Christ,
and beg His grace with that everything became easy.
;

That many do not advance in the Christian progress

because they stick in penances and particulrr exercises,
while they neglect the love of God, which is the end.
That this appeared plainly by their works, and was the
reason why we see so little solid virtue.
That there needed neither art nor science for going
to God, but only a heart resolutely determined to apply
itself to nothing but Him, or for His sake, and to love
Him only.

FOURTH CONVERSATION

He discoursed with me very frequently, and with

great openness of heart, concerning his manner of
going to God, whereof some part is related already.
He told me that all consists in one hearty renunciation
oi everything which we are sensible does not lead to
God. That we might accustom ourselves to a continual
conversation with Him, with freedom and in simplicity.
That we need only to recognize God intimately pres-
ent with us, to address ourselves to Him every moment,
that we may beg His assistance for knowing His will in
things doubtful, and for rightly performing those which
we plainly see He requires of us, offering them to Him
before we do them, and giving Him thanks when we
have done.
That God we are also em-
in this conversation with
ployed in praising, adoring, and loving Him incessantly,
for His infinite goodness and perfection.
 16 CONyERSATIOl^S

That, without being discouraged on account of our

sins, we should pray for His grace with a perfect con-
fidence, as relying upon the infinite merits of our Lord
Jesus Christ. That God never failed offenng us
His grace at each action that he distinctly perceived
;

it, and never failed of it, unless when his thoughts had

wandered from a sense of God's presence, or he had

fprgotten to ask His assistance.
That God always gave us light in our doubts when
we had no other design but to please Him.
That our sanctification did not depend upon chang-
ing our works, but in doing that for God's sake which
we commonly do for our own. That it was lamen-
table to see how many people mistook the means for the
end, addicting themselves to certain works, which they
performed very imperfectly, by reason of their human
or selfish regards.
That the most excellent method he had found of
going to God was that of doing our common business
without any view of pleasing men,* and (as far as we
are capable) purely for the love of God.
That was a great delusion to think that the times
it

of prayer ought to differ from other times that we are ;

as strictly obhged to adhere to God by action in the

I

time of action as by prayer in the season of prayer.

That his prayer was nothing else but a sense of the
presence of God, his soul being at that time insensible
to everything but divine love and that when the ap-
;

pointed times of prayer were past, he found no differ-

ence, because he still continued with God, praising and
blessing Him with all his might, so that he passed his
* Gal. i. lo; Eph. vi. 5, 6.
T

CONVERSATIONS 17

life in continual joy ;

yethoped that God would give
him somewhat to suffer when he should grow stronger.
Inat v/2 ought, once for all, heartily to put our
whole trust in God, and make a total surrender of our-
selves to Him, secure t^at He would not deceive us.
That we ought not to be weary of doing little things
for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of
the work, but the love with which it is performed.
That we should not wonder if, in the beginning, we
often failed in our endeavors, but that at last we should
gain a habit, which will naturally produce its acts in us,
without our care, and to our exceeding great delight.
That the whole substance of religion was faith, hope,
and charity, by the practice of which we beoome united
to the will of God ; that all besides is indifferent, and
tobe used as a means that we may arrive at our end,
and be swallowed up therein, by faith and charity.
That all things are possible to him who believes; that
they are less difficult tohim who hopes; that they are
more easy to him who loves^ and still more easy to him
who perseveres in the practice of these three virtues.
That the end we ought to propose to ourselves is to
become, in this life, the most perfect worshipers of
God we can possibly be, as we hope to be through all

eternity.
That when we enter upon the spiritual life, we should
consider and examine to the bottom what we are. And
then we should find ourselves worthy of all contempt,
and not deserving indeed the name of Christians sub- ;

ject to all kinds of misery and numberless accidents,

which trouble us and cause perpetual vicissitudes in
our health, in our humors, in our internal and external
18 CONyERSATlONS

dispositions ; in fine, persons whom God would humble

by many pains and labors, as well within as without.
After this we should not wonder that troubles, tempta-
tions, oppositions, and contradictions happen to us from
men. We ought, on the contrary, to submit ourselves
to them, and bear them as long as God pleases, as things
highly advantageous to us.
That the greater perfection a soul aspires after, the

more dependent it is upon divine grace.

* Being questioned by one of his own society (to
whom he was obliged tp open himself) by what means
he had attained such an habitual sense of God, he told
him that, since his first coming to the monastery, he
had considered God as the end of all his thoughts and
desires, as the mark to which they should tend, and in
which they should terminate.
That in the beginning of his novitiate he spent the
hours appointed for private prayer in thinking of God,
so as to convince his mind of, and to impress deeply
upon his heart, the divine existence, rather, by devout
sentiments, and submission to the hghts of faith, than
by studied reasonings and elaborate meditations. That
by this short and sure method he exercised himself in
the knowledge and love of God, resolving to use his
utmost endeavor to live in a continual sense of His
presence, and, if possible, never to forget Him more.
That when he had thus in prayer filled his mind with
great sentiments of that infinite Being, he went to his
work appointed in the kitchen (for he was cook to the
society).There having first considered severally the
* The particulars which follow are collected from other ac-

counts of Brother Lawrence.

 CONVERSATIONS 19

things his office required, and when and how each

thing was to be done, he spent all the intervals of his
time, as well before as after his work, in prayer.
That when he began his business, he said to God, with
a filial trust in Him O my God,
: since Thou art with
mgy and I must now^ in obedience to Thy commands^
apply my mind to these outward things^ I beseech Thee
to grant me the grace to continue in Thy presence; and

to this end do Thou prosper me with Thy assistance re- ,

ceive all my works^ and possess all my affections.

As he proceeded in his work he continued his famil-

iar conversation with his Maker, imploring His grace,
and offering to Him all his actions.

When he had finished he examined himself how he

had discharged his duty ; if he found well, he retiuned
thanks to God ; if otherwise, he asked pardon, and,
without being discouraged, he set his mind right again,
and continued his exercise of the presence of God as if
he had never deviated from it. " Thus," said he, " by
rising after my falls, and by frequently renewed acts of
faith and love, I am come to a state wherein it would
be as difficult for me not to think of God as it was at
first to accustom myself to it."

As Brother Lawrence had found such an advantage

in walking in the presence of God, it was natural for
him to recommend it earnestly to others ; but his ex-
ample was a stronger inducement than any arguments
he could propose. His very countenance was edify-
ing, such a sweet and calm devotion appearing in it as
could not but affect the beholders. And it was ob-
served that in the greatest hurry of business in the
kitchen he still preserved his recollection and heavenly-
 20 CONVERSATIONS

mindedness. He was never hasty nor loitering, but

did each thing in its season, with an even, uninterrupted

composure and tranquillity of spirit. "The time of

business," said he, " does not with me differ from the
time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my
kitchen, while several persons are at the same time
calling for different things, I possess God in as great

tranquillity as if I were upon my knees at the blessed

sacrament."

~-t_
 :

LETTERS

FIRST LETTER

Since you desire so earnestly that I should com-

municate to you the method by which I arrived at that
habitual sense of God's presence^ which our Lord, of
His mercy, has been pleased to vouchsafe to me, I

'nust tellyou that it is with great difficulty that I am

prevailed on by your importunities; and now I do it
only upon the terms that you show my letter to nobody.
If I knew that you would let it be seen, all the desire

''.hat I have for your advancement would not be able

*o determine me to it. The account I can give you is

Having found in many books different m' thods of
going to God, and divers practices of the spiritual life,

I thought would serve rather to puzzle me than

this

facilitate what I sought after, which was nothing but

how to become wholly God's. This made me resolve

to give the all for the all ; so after having given myself
wholly to God, that He might take away my sin, / re-
nounced, for the love of Him, everything that was not
He, and I began to live as if there was none but He and
I in the world. Sometimes I considered myself before
Him as a poor criminal at the feet of his judge at other ;

^.imes I beheld Him in my heart as my Father, as my

God. I worshiped him the oftenest that I could, keep-

ax
 LETTERS

ing my mind in His holy presence, and recalling it as

often as I found it wandered from Him. I found no
small pain in this exercise, and yet I continued it, not-
withstanding all the difficulties that occurred, without
troubling or disquieting myself when my mind had wan-
dered involuntarily. I made this my business as much
all the day long as at the appointed times of prayer
for at all times, every hour, every minute, even in the
height of my business, I drove away frommy mind
everything that was capable of interrupting my thought
of God.
Such has been my common practice ever since I
entered in religion; and though I have done it very
imperfectly, yet I have found great advantages by it.
These, I well know, are to be imputed to the mere
mercy and goodness of God, because we can do noth-
ing without Him, and / still less than any. But when
we are faithful to keep ourselves in His holy presence,
and set Him always before us, this not only hinders
our offending Him and doing anything that may dis-

please Him, at least wilfully, but it also begets in us a

holy freedom, and, if I may so speak, a familiarity with
God, wherewith we ask, and that successfully, the graces
we stand in need of. In fine, by often repeating these
acts, they become habitual^ and the presence of God

rendered as it were natural to us. Give Him thanks,

if you please, with me, for His great goodness toward
me, which I can never sufficiently admire, for the many
favors He has done to so miserable a sinner as I am.
May all things praise Him. Amen.
I am, in our Lord,
*

Yours, etc
 LETTERS

SECOND LETTER
To the Reverend
Not finding my manner of life in books, although I
have no difficulty about it, yet, for greater security, I
shall be glad to know your thoughts concerning it.
In a conversation some days since with a person of
piety, he told me was a Hfe of grace,
the spiritual life

which begins with servile fear, which is increased by

hope of eternal life, and which is consummated by
pure love; that each of these states had its different
stages, by which one arrives at last at that blessed con-
summation.
I have not followed all these methods. On the con-
trary, from I know not what instincts, I found they dis-

couraged me. This was the reason why, at my entrance

into religion, I took a resolution to give myself up to
God, as the best return I could make for His love, and,
for the love of Him, to renounce all besides.

For the first year I commonly employed myself dur-

ing the time set apart for devotion with the thought of
death, judgment, heaven, hell, and my sins. Thus I
continued some years, applying my mind carefully the
rest of the day, and even in the midst of my business,
to the presence of God, whom I considered always as

with me, often as in me.

At length I came insensibly to do the same thing
during my set time of prayer, which caused in me great
delight and consolation. This practice produced in me
so high an esteem for God XhdX faith alone was capable
to satisfy me in that point.*

* / suppose
he means that all distinct notions he coold form of
God were nnsatisfactory, because he perceived them to be oa-
24 LETTERS

Such was my beginning, and tell you that

yet I must
for the first ten years I suffered much. The apprehen-
sion that I was not devoted to God as I wished to be,
my past sins always present to my mind, and the great
unmerited favors which God did me, were the matter
and source of my sufferings. During this time I fell
often, and rose again presently. It seemed to me that
all creatures, reason, and God Himself were against

me, and faith alone for me. I was troubled sometimes

with thoughts that to believe I had received such favors
was an effect of my presumption, which pretended to
be at once where others arrive with difficulty ; at other
times, that it was a wilful delusion, and that there was
no salvation for me.
When I thought of nothing but to end my days in
these troubles (which did not at all diminish the trust
I had in God, and which served only to increase my
faith), I found myself changed all at once; and my
soul, which till that time was in trouble, felt a profound
inward peace, as if she were in her center and place of
rest.

Ever since that time I walk before God simply, in

i'aith, with humihty and with love, and I apply myself

diligently to do nothing and think nothing which may

displease Him. I hope that when I have done what I
can, He will do with me what He pleases.
As forwhat passes in me at present, I cannot express
it. I have no pain or difficulty about my state, because

worthy of God and ; therefore his mind was not to be satisfied

but by the views oifaith^ which apprehend God as infinite and
incomprehensible, as He is in Himself, and not as He can be
conceived by human ideas.
 LETTERS 25

X have no will but that of God, which

I endeavor to

accomplish in and to which I am so resigned

all things,
that I would not take up a straw from the ground against
His order, or from any other motive than purely that
of love to Him.
I have quitted all forms of devotion and set prayers
but those to which my state obliges me. And I make
it my business only to persevere in His holy presence,
wherein I keep myself by a simple attention, and a
general fond regard to God, which I may call an actual
presence of God ; or, to speak better, an habitual, silent,

and secret conversation of the soul with God, which

•often causes me joys and raptiures inwardly, and some-
times also outwardly, so great that I am forced to use
.'means to moderate them and prevent their appearance
to others.

In short, I am assured beyond all doubt that my soul

has been with God above these thirty years. I pass over
many things that I may not be tedious to you, yet I
think it proper to inform you after what manner I con-
Aider myself before God, whom I behold as my King.
I consider myself as the most wretched of men, full

of sores and corruption, and who has committed all sorts

of crimes against his King. Touched with a sensible re-
gret, I confess to Him all my wickedness, I ask His for-
giveness, I abandon myself in His hands that He may
do what He pleases with me. The King, full of mercy
and goodness, very far from chastising me, embraces me
with love, makes me eat at His table, serves me with
His own hands, gives me the key of His treasures He ;

converses and delights Himself with me incessantly, in

a thousand and a thousand ways, and treats me in all

1
 ;

fl6 LETTERS

respects as His favorite. It is thus I consider myself

from time to time in His holy presence.
My most useful method is this simple attention, and
such a general passionate regard to God, to whom I
find myself often attached with greater sweetness and
delight than that of an infant at the mother's breast
so that, if I dare use the expression, I should choose to
call this state the bosom of God, for the inexpressible
sweetness which I taste and experience there.
If sometimes my thoughts wander from by neces-
it

sity or infirmity, I am presently recalled by inward

motions so charming and delicious that I am ashamed
to mention them. I desire your Reverence to reflect

rather upon my great wretchedness, of which you are

fully informed, than upon the great favors which God
does me, all unworthy and ungrateful as I am.
As for my set hours of prayer, they are only a con-
tinuation of the same exercise. Sometimes I consider
myself there as a stone before a carver, whereof he is

to make a statue ;
presenting myself thus before God, I
Him to form His perfect image
desire in my and
soul,
make me entirely like Himself.
At other times, when I apply myself to prayer, I
feel all my spirit and all my soul lift itself up without
any care or effort of mine, and it continues as it were
suspended and firmly fixed in God, as in its center and
place of rest.

I know that some charge this state with inactivity,

delusion, and self-love. I confess that it is a holy in-
activity, and would be a happy self-love if the soul in
that state were capable of it, because, in effect, while

m she is in this repose, she cannot be disturbed by such

 tBTTERS 27

was formerly accustomed to, and which were

acts as she
then her support, but which would now rather hinder
than assist her.

Yet I cannot bear that this should be called delu-

sion, because the soul which thus enjoys God desires
herein nothing but Him. If this be delusion in me, it
belongs to God to remedy it. Let Him do what He
pleases with me ; I desire only Him, and to be wholly
devoted to Him. You will, however, oblige me in
sending me your opinion, to which I always pay a
great deference, for I have a singular esteem for your
Reverence, and am, in our Lord,
Yours, etc.

THIRD LETTER

We have a God who is infinitely gracious and knows

all our wants. I always thought that He would reduce
you to extremity. He will come in His own time, and
when you least expect it. Hope in Him more than
ever ; thank Him with me for the favors He does you,
particularly for the fortitude and patience which He
gives you in your afflictions. It is a plain mark of the
care He takes of you. Comfort yourself, then, with
Him, and give thanks for all.
I admire also the fortitude and bravery of Mr. .

God has given him a good disposition and a good will

but there is in him still a little of the world and a great
deal of youth. I hope the affliction which God has sent
him will prove a wholesome remedy to him, and make
him enter into himself. It is an accident which should
engage him to put all his trust in Ilim who accompanies
him everywhere. Let him think of Him as often as he
 2d LETTERS

can, especially in the greatest dangers. A little lifting

up of the heart suffices. A little remembrance of God,

one act of inward worship, though upon a march, and
a sword in hand, are prayers, which, however short, are
nevertheless very acceptable to God and far from les-
;

sening a soldier's courage in occasions of danger, they

best serve to fortify it.

Let him then think of God the most he can. Let

him accustom himself, by degrees, to this small but holy
exercise. No one and nothing is easier
will notice it,

than to repeat often in the day these little internal

adorations. Recommend to him, if you please, that
he think of God the most he can, in the manner here
directed. It is very fit and most necessary for a soldier^
who is daily exposed to the dangers of life. I hope
that God will assist him and all the family, to whom I
present my service, being theirs and
Yours, etc.
FOURTH LETTER
I have taken this opportunity to communicate t^
you the sentiments of one of our society, concerning
the admirable effects and continual assistances which
he receives from the presence of Gon. Let you and me
both profit by them.
You must know his continual care has been, for
\
about forty years past that he has spent in religion, to
be always with God, and to do nothing, say nothing,
and think nothing which may displease Him, and this
without any other view than purely for the love of Him,
and because He deserves infinitely more.
He is now so accustomed to that divine presence that
he receives from it continual succors upon all occa>
 LETTERS 29

sions. For about thirty years his soul has been filled

with joys so continual, and sometimes so great, that he

is forced to use means to moderate them, and to hin-

der their appearing outwardly.

If sometimes he is a little too much absent from that
divine presence, God presently makes Himself to be
felt in his soul to recall him, which often happens
when he is most engaged in his outward business. He
answers with exact fidelity to these inward drawings,
either by an elevation of his heart toward God, or by
a meek and fond regard to Him ; or by such words as
love forms upon these occasions, as, for instance. My
God, here I am all devoted to Thee. Lord, make me ac-
cording to Thy heart. And then it seems to him (as in

effect he feels it) that this God of love, satisfied with

such few words, reposes again, and rests in the fund
and center of his soul. The experience of these thmgs
gives him such an assurance that God is always in the
fund or bottom of his soul that it renders him incapable
of doubting it upon any account whatever.
Judge by this what content and satisfaction he enjoys
while he continually finds in himself so great a treasure.
He is no longer in an anxious search after it, but has
it open before him, and may take what he pleases of it.

He complains much of our blindness, and cries often

that we are to be pitied who content ourselves with so

little. God, saith he, has infinite treasure to bestow, and
we take up with a little sensible devotion, which passes in
a moment. Blind as we are, we hinder God and stop
the current of His graces. But when He finds a soul
penetrated with a lively faith. He pours into it His graces
and favors plentifully; there they flow like a torrent
80 LETTERS

whichf after being forcibly stopped against its ordinary

course ywhen it has found a passage, spreads itself with
impetuosity and abundance. ^

Yes, we by the little value we

often stop this torrent
set upon it. But let us stop it no more let us enter ;

into ourselves and break down the bank which hinders

it. Let us make way for grace let us redeem the lost;

time, for perhaps we have but Uttle left. Death fol-

lows us close let us be well prepared for it for we
; ;

die but once, and a miscarriage there is irretrievable.

I say again, let us enter into ourselves. The time
presses, there is no room for delay our souls are at ;

stake. I believe you have taken such effectual mea-

sures that you will not be surprised. I commend you

for it it is the one thing necessary.
; We must, never-
theless, always work at it, because not to advance in

the spiritual life is to go back. But those who have

the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward even in sleep.
If the vessel of our soul is still tossed with winds and
storms, let us awake the Lord, who reposes in it, and
He will quickly calm the sea.

I have taken the Hberty to impart to you these good

you may compare them with your own.
sentiments, that
It will serve again to kindleand inflame them, if by
misfortune (which God forbid, for it would be indeed a
great misfortune) they should be, though never so little,

cooled. Let us then both recall our first fervors. Let

us profit by the example and the sentiments of this

who is little known of the world, but known of

brother,
God, and extremely caressed by Him. I will pray for
you do you pray instantly for me, who am, in our Lord,
;

Yours, etc.
 ;

LETTERS «'
\ *
':!'

FIFTH LETTER

I received this day two books and a letter from

'
Sister , who is preparing to make her profession,
and upon that account desires the prayers of your holy
society, and yours in particular. I perceive that she

reckons much upon them pray do not disappoint her.

;

Beg of God that she may make her sacrifice in the view
of His love alone, and with a firm resolution to be
wholly devoted to Him. I will send you one of these
'
books, which treat of the presence of God, a subject
which, in my opinion, contains the whole spiritual life
and it seems to me that whoever duly practises it will
soon become spiritual.

I know that for the right practice of it the heart must

be empty of all other things, because God will possess
the heart alone; and as He cannot possess it alone
without emptying it of all besides, so neither can He
and do in it what He pleases, unless it be left
act there^
vacant to Him.
There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet
and delightful than that of a continual conversation
with God. Those only can comprehend it who prac-
tise and experience it yet I do not advise you to do
;

it from that motive. It is not pleasure which we

ought to seek in this exercise but let us do it from a

;

principle of love, and because God would have us.

Were I a preacher, I should, above all other things,
preach the practice of the presence of God and were ;

I a director, I should advise all the world to do it, so

necessary do I think it, and so easy, too.
Ah knew we but the want we have of the grace and
I
32 LETTERS

assistance ^f God, we should never lose sight of Him

— moment. Believe me make immedi-
no, not for a ;

ately a holy and firm resolution nevermore wilfully to

forget Him, and to spend the rest of your days in His
sacred presence, deprived, for the love of Him, if He
thinks fit, of all consolations.
Set heartily about this work, and if you do it as you
ought, be assured that you will soon find the effects of
it. I will assist you with my prayers, poor as they are.
I recommend myself earnestly to yours and those of
your holy society, being theirs, and more particularly
Yours, etc.

SIXTH LETTER

{To the Same)

I have received from Mrs. the things which you

gave her for me. I wonder
you have not given that
me your thoughts of the little book I sent to you, and
which you must have received. Pray set heartily about
the practice of it in your old age ; it is better late than
never.
I cannot imagine how religious persons can live sat-

isfied without the practice of the presence of God. For

my part, I keep myself retired with Him in the fund

or center of my soul as much as I can ; and while I am
so with Him I fear nothing, but the least turning from
Him is insupportable.
This exercise does not much fatigue the body ; it is,

however, proper to deprive it sometimes, nay, often, of

many little pleasures which are innocent and lawful, for
God will not permit that a soul which desires to be de-
 LETTERS (H

voted entirely to Him should take other pleasures than

with Him that is more than reasonable.
:

I do not say that therefore we must put any violent

constraint upon ourselves. No, we must serve God
in a holy freedom we must do our business faithfully,
;

without trouble or disquiet, recalling our mind to God

mildly, and with tranquillity, as often as we find it wan-
dering from Him.
It is, however, necessary to put our whole trust in

God, laying aside all other cares, and even some par-
ticular forms of devotion, though very good in them-
selves, yet such as one often engages in unreasonably,
because these devotions are only means to attain to the
end. So when by this exercise of the presence of God
we are with Him who is our end, it is then useless to
return to the means ; but we may continue with Him
our commerce of love, persevering in His holy pres-
ence, one while by an act of praise, of adoration, or of
desire ;one while by an act of resignation or thanksgiv-
ing ; and in all the ways which our spirit can invent.
Be not discouraged by the repugnance which you may
find in it from nature you must do yourself violence*
;

At the first one often thinks it lost time, but you must
go on, and resolve to persevere in it to death, notwith-
standing all the difficulties that may occur. I recom-
mend myself to the prayers of your holy society, and
yours in particular* I am, in our Lord,
Yours, etc.

SEVENTH LETTER

I pity you much. It will be of great importance if

you can leave the care of your affairs to , and

 K

LETTERS

spend the remainder of your life only in worshiping

God. He requires no great matters of us a little re- :

membrance of Him from time to time a little adora- ;

tion ; sometimes to pray for His grace, sometimes to

offer Him your sufferings, and sometimes to return
Him thanks for the favors He has given you, and still
gives you, in the midst of your troubles, and to con-
sole yourself with Him the oftenest you can. Lift up
your heart to Him, sometimes even at your meals, and
when you are in company the least little remembrance
;

will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry

very loud He is nearer to us than we are aware of.
;

It is not necessary for being with God to be always

at church. We may make an oratory of oiu: heart
wherein to retire from time to time to converse with
Him in meekness, humility, and love. Every one is
capable of such familiar conversation with God, some
more, some less. He knows what we can do. Let us
begin, then. Perhaps He expects but one generous
resolution on our part. Have courage. We have but
little you are near sixty-four, and I am
time to live ;

almost eighty. live and die with God.

Let us Suffer-
ings will be sweet and pleasant to us while we are with
Him and the greatest pleasures will be, without Him,
;

a cruel punishment to us. May He be blessed for all.

Amen.
Accustom yourself, then, by degrees thus to worship
Him, to beg His grace, to offer Him your heart from
time to time in the midst of your business, even every
moment, if you can. Do not always scrupulously con-
fine yourself to certain rules, or particular forms of de-
votion, but act with a general confidence in God, with

^.
 LETTERS

love ana humility. You may assure of my poor

prayers, and thai^ I am their servant, and particularly
Yours in our Lord, etc.

EIGHTH LETTER

{Concerning Wandering TTioughis in I^ayer)

You tell me nothing new you

; are not the only one
that is troubled with wandering thoughts. Our mind is

extremely roving ; but, as the will is mistress of all our

faculties, she must recall them, and carry them to God
as their last end.
When the mind, for want of being sufficiently re-

duced by recollection at our first engaging in devotion,

has contracted certain bad habits of wandering and dis-

sipation, they are difficult to overcome, and commonly

draw us, even against our wills, to the things of the
earth.
I believe one remedy for this is to confess our faults
and to humble ourselves before God. I do not advise
you to use multiplicity of words in prayer, many words
and long discourses being often the occasions of wan-
dering. Hold yourself in prayer before God like a
dumb or paralytic beggar at a rich man's gate. Let it

be your business to keep your mind in the presence of

the Lord. If it sometimes wander and withdraw itself

from Him, do not much disquiet yourself for that:
trouble and disquiet serve rather to distract the mind
than to recollect it the will must bring it back in tran-
;

quillity. If you persevere in this manner, God will

have pity on tou.
One way to recollect the mind easily in the time of
10 LETTERS

prayer, and preserve it more in tranquillity, is not to

let it wander too far at other times. You should keep it
strictly \\\ the presence of God and; being accustomed
to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep
your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to re-
call it from Its wanderings.
I have told you already at large, in my former let-

ters, of the advantages we may draw from this practice

of the presence of God. Let us set about it seriously,
and pray for one another.
Yours, etc.

NINTH LETTER

The inclosed is an answer to that which I received

from ;
pray deliver it to her. She seems to me
full of good will, but she would go faster than grace.
One does not become holy all at onue. I recommend
her to you we ought to help one another by our ad-
;

vice, and yet more by our good examples. You will

oblige me to let me hear of her from time to time, and
whether she be very fervent and very obedient.
Let us thus think often that our only business in this

life is to please God, and that all besides is but folly

and vanity. You and I have lived about forty years
in religior (i.e.,life). Have we employed
a monastic
them and serving God, who by His mercy
in loving
has called u to this state, and for that very end ? I
'

am filled with shame and confusion when I reflect, on

one hand, upon the great favors which God has done,
and incessantly continues to do me and on the other, ;

upon the ill use I have made of them, and my small

advancement in the way of perfection.
 LETTERS 87

Since by His mercy He gives us still a little time, let

us begin in earnest ; let us repair the lost time ; let us
return with a full assurance to that Father of mercies,
who is always ready to receive us affectionately. Let
us renounce, let us generously renounce, for the love
of Him, all that is not Himself ; He deserves infiniteiy
more. Let us think of Him perpetually. Let us put
all our trust in Him. I doubt not but we shall soon
find the effects of it in receiving the abundance of His
grace, with whichwe can do all things, and without
which we can do nothing but sin.
We cannot escape the dangers which abound in life

without the actual and continual help of God. Let us,

then, pray to Him for it continually. How can we pray
to Him without being with Him? How can we be with
Him but in thinking of Him often? And how can we
often think of Him but by a holy habit which we should
form of it ? You will tell me that I am always saying
the same thing. It is true, for this is the best and easi-
est method I know; and as I use no other, I advise
all the world to do it. We must know before we can
love. In order to know God, we must often think of
Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then
also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our
treasure. This is an argument which well deserves
your consideration.
I am,
Yours, etc.

TENTH LETTER

I have had a good deal of difficulty to bring myself

to write to Mr. , and I do it now purely because
t» LETTERS

you and Madam desire me. Pray write the direc«

tions and send it to him. I am very well pleased with
the trust which you have in God I wish that He may ;

increase it in you more and more. We cannot have too

much in so good and faithful a Friend, who will never
fail us in this world nor in the next.
If Mr. makes his advantage of the loss he has
had, and puts all his confidence in God, He will soon
give him another friend, more powerful and more in«
clined to serve him. He disposes of hearts as He
pleases. Perhaps Mr. was too much attached
to him he has lost. We ought to love our friends, but
without encroaching upon the love due to God, which
must be the principal.
Pray remember what I have recommended to you,
which is, to think often on God, by day, by night, in
your business, and even in your diversions. He is al-
ways near you and with you leave Him not alone. ;

You would think it rude to leave a friend alone who

came to visit you why, then, must God be neglected ?
;

Do not, then, forget Him, but think on Him often,

adore Him hve and die with Him this is
continually, ;

the glorious employment of a Christian. In a word,

this is our profession if we do not know it, we must
;

learn it. I will endeavor to help you with my prayers,

and am, in our Lord,

Yours, etc.

ELEVENTH LETTER

do not pray that you may be delivered from your

I

pains, but I pray God earnestly that He would give

you strength and patience to bear them as long as He
 LETTERS 39

pleases. Comfort yourself with Him who holds you

fastened to the cross. you when He
He will loose

thinks fit. Happy those who

Him. Accus-
suffer with

tom yourself to suffer in that manner, and seek from

Him the strength to endure as much, and as long, as
He shall judge to be necessary for you. The men of
the world do not comprehend these truths, nor is it to
be wondered at, since they suffer like what they are, and
not like Christians. They consider sickness as a pain
to nature, and not as a favor from God and; seeing it

only in that light, they find nothing in it but grief and

distress. But those who consider sickness as coming
from the hand of God, as the effect of His mercy, and
themeans which He employs for their salvation such —
commonly find in it great sweetness and sensible con-
solation.

I wish you could convince yourself that God is

often (in some sense) nearer to us, and more effectually

present with us, in sickness than in health. Rely upon

no other physician ; for, according to my apprehension,
He reserves your cure to Himself. Put, then, all your
trust in Him, and you will soon find the effects of it in

your recovery, which we often retard by putting greater

confidence in physic than in God.
Whatever remedies you make use of, they will suc-
ceed only so far as He permits. When pains come
from God, He only can cure them. He often sends
diseases of the body to cure those of the soul. Com-
fort yourself with the sovereign Physician both of the
souland body.
Be satisfied with the condition in which God places
you; however happy you may think me, I envy you.

f
40 ' LETTERS

Pains and sufferings would be a paradise to me while I

should suffer with my God, and the greatest pleasures
would be hell to me if I could rehsh them without
Him. All my consolation would be to suffer something
for His sake. >

I must, in a little time, go to God. What comforts

me in this life is that I now Him hy faiths and I
see
see Him in such a manner as might make me say
sometimes, / believe no more, but I see. I feel what
faith teaciies us, and in that assuranceand that prac-
tice of faith I will live and die with Him.
Continue, then, always with God ; it is the only sup-
port and comfort for your affliction. I shall beseech
Him to be with you. I present my service.
Yours, etc.

TWELFTH LETTER

If we were well accustomed to the exercise of the

presence of God, all bodily diseases would be much al-
leviated thereby. God often permits that we should
suffer a little to pmify our souls and oblige us to con-
tinue with Him.
Take courage; offer Him your pains incessantly;
pray to Him for strength to endure them. Above all,
get a habit of entertaining yourself often with God, and
forget Him the least you can. Adore Him in your in-

firmities, offer yourself to Him from time to time, and

in the height of your sufferings beseech Him humbly
and affectionately (as a child his father) to make you
conformable to His holy will. I shall endeavor to as-
sist you with my poor prayers.
God has many ways of drawing us to Himself. He
 LETTERS '
H
sometimes hides Himself from us hvX faith alone, which
;

will not fail us in time of need, ought to be our sup-

port, and the foimdation of our confidence, which must

be all in God.
I know not how God will dispose of me. I am al-

ways happy. All the world suffer ; and I, who deserve

the severest discipline, feel joys so continual and so
great that I can scarce contain them.
I would willingly ask of God a part of your suffer-

ings, know my weakness, which is so great

but that I
that if He left me one moment to myself I should be
the most wretched man alive. And yet I know not
how He can leave me alone, because faith gives me as
strong a conviction as sense can do that He never for-

sakes us until we have first forsaken Him. Let us fear

to leave Him. Let us be always with Him. Let us
live and die in His presence. Do you pray for me as
I for you.
I am.
Yours, etc.

THIRTEENTH LETTER
[To the Same)

I am in pain to see you suffer so long. What gives

me some ease and sweetens the feelings I have for your

griefs is that they are proofs of God's love toward

you. See them in that view and you will bear them
more e^jily. As your case is, it is my opinion that you
should leave off human remedies, and resign yourself

entirely to the piovidence of God. Perhaps He stays

only for that resignation and a perfect trust in Him to

cure you. Since, notwithstanding all your cares, physic

 42 LETTERS

has hitherto proved unsuccessful, and your malady still

increases, it will not be tempting God to abandon

yourself in His hands and expect all from Him.

I told you in my
He sometimes permits
last that
bodily diseases to cure the distempers of the soul.
Have courage, then ; make a virtue of necessity. Ask
of God, not deliverance from your pains, but strength
to bear resolutely, for the love of Him, all that He
should please, and as long as He shall please.
Such prayers, indeed, are a little hard to nature, but
most acceptable to God, and sweet to those that love
Him. Love sweetens pains and when one loves God,
;

one suffers for His sake with joy and courage. Do

you so, I beseech you comfort yourself with Him, who
;

is the only Physician of all our maladies. He is the

Father of the afflicted, always ready to help us. He
loves us infinitely, more than we imagine.
Love Him,
then, and seek no consolation elsewhere. I hope you
will soon receive it. Adieu. I will help you with my
prayers, poor as they are, and shall always be, in our
Lord,
Yours, etc.

FOURTEENTH LETTER
{To the Same)

I render thanks to our Lord for having relieved

you a little, according to your desire. I have been
often near expiring, but I never was so much satisfied
as then. Accordingly, I did not pray for any relief,
but I prayed for strength to suffer with courage, humil-
ity, and love. Ah, how sweet it is to suffer with God!
However great the sufferings may be, receive them
 ;

LETTERS 43

with love. It is paradise to suffer and be with Him

so that if in this life we would enjoy the peace of para-
dise we must accustom ourselves to a familiar, humble,
affectionate conversation with Him. We must hinder
our spirits' wandering from Him upon any occasion.
We must make our heart a spiritual temple, wherein
to adore Him incessantly. We must watch continually
over ourselves, that we may not do nor say nor think
anything that may displease Him. When our minds
are thus employed about God, suffering will become
full of unction and consolation.
know that to arrive at this state the beginning is very
I
difficult, for we must act purely in faith. But though it
is difficult, we know also that we can do all things with

the grace of God, which He never refuses to them who

ask it Knock, persevere in knocking, and I
earnestly.
answer for it that He will open to you in His due time,
and grant you all at once what He has deferred during
, many years. Adieu. Pray to Him for me as I pray
to Him for you. I hope to see Him quickly.
I am,
Yours, etc.

FIFTEENTH LETTER
(To the Same)

God knoweth best what is needful for us, and all that
He does is for our good. If we knew how much He
loves us, we should always be ready to receive equally
and with indifference from His hand the sweet and the
bitter. All would please that came from Him. The
sorest afflictions never appear intolerable, except when
we see them in the wrong light. When we see them
44 LETTERS

as dispensed by the hand of God, when we know that

it is our loving Father who abases and distresses us,

our sufferings will lose their bitterness and become

even matter of consolation.
Let all our employment be to know God ; more
the
one knows Him, the more one desires to know Him.
And as knowledge is commonly the measure of love, the
deeper and more extensive our knowledge shall be, the
greater will be our love; and if our love of God were
great, we should love Him equally in pains and plea-
sures.

Let us not content omrselves with loving God for the

mere sensible favors, how elevated soever, which He
has done or may do us. Such favors, though nevei
so great, cannot bring us so near to Him as faith doe?,
in one simple act. Let us seek Him often by faith.
He is within us ; seek Him not elsewhere. If we do
love Him alone, are we not rude, and do we not de-
serve blame, if we busy ourselves about trifles which
do not please and perhaps offend Him? It is to bt
feared these trifles will one day cost us dear.
Let us begin to be devoted to Him in good earnest
Let us cast everything besides out of our hearts. He \ .

would possess them alone. Beg this favor of Him. If

've do what we can on our parts, we shall soon see that
change wrought in us which we aspire after. I cannot
thank Him sufficiently for the relaxation He has vouch-
safed you. hope from His mercy the favor to see
I
Him within a few days.* Let us pray for one another.
I am, in oiu: Lord,

i Yours, etc.

* He took to his bed two days after, and died within the week.
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